Molded rubber football



Feb. g4, 1959 o; R. MARTIN 2,874,965

MOLDED RUBBER FOOTBALL l Filed Feb. 28, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTROrv' lle R Martin F E BY i Z *i7 2%667' AT TogrYs Feb. 24, 1959 o.RMARTIN MOLDED RUBBER FOOTBALL 2 sheets-sheet 2y 4"Filed Feb. 28, 1957mvENToR Orville R. Maritim Bw'ygzeaw ATTORNEYS United States Patent OMOLDED RUBBER FOOTBALL Orville Rr Martin, Greensburg, Pa., assgnor toThe General Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of OhioApplication February 28, 1957, Serial No. 643,133

s claims; ((1273-65) The present invention relates to an improvement inrubber footballs and more particularly to a molded rubber footballhaving projecting ribs between the lacing holes for locating andsupporting the lacing.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application,Serial No. 577,324, led April 10, 1956, and since abandoned.

According to the invention, the football is provided with a pocketbetween the cover and carcass, parallel rows of lacing holes in thecover near the sides of said pocket and ribs between the lacing holesfor supporting the longitudinal and transverse portions of the lacing.The football preferably is provided with a straight longitudinal ribparallel to and extending the length of the rows of holes for`supporting the two longitudinal portions of the lacing and a series ofshort lateral ribs extending from the longitudinal rib to the holes forsupporting the several transverse lacing portions. The lateral ribsproject radially outwardly beyond the lacing-engaging outer surface ofthe longitudinal rib so as to providerecesses above the latter rib of asize to receive the two longitudinal portions of the lacing.

Since the liner of the football tends to assume a circular transversecross section due to the pressure of the gases within the football, thelacings tend to bulge outwardly so that the cover of the football has anoblong transverse cross-section in the vicinity of the lacing. In orderto eliminate this bulging of the football, itis preferable to providereinforcing cords extending around the football substantially from oneend of the football to the other, the adjacent wraps of the reinforcingcord being closely spaced and being radially outwardly of the pocketbetween the cover and the carcass. The longitudinal rib for supportingthe lacings may be cut to permit access to said pocket for punching thelacing holes and for permitting lacing of thefootball. Such cuttingsevers the reinforcing cords extending around the pocket but this doesnot weaken the football substantially since these cords are anchored inthe rubber and since the severed ends are held together by the lacing.The reinforcing cords, therefore, prevent bulging of the football in thevicinity of the lacing even though they are cut.

Objects of the present invention are to,` provide an improved-rubberfootball of simple inexpensive construction and to provide improvedmeans for positioning the lacing on the football.

Another object of the invention is to reinforce a rubber` football andto prevent bulging of the football in the vicinity of the lacing.

Other objects, uses and advantages of the invention will become apparentto those skilled inthe art from the following description and claims andfrom the drawings 'in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of the laced footballof the present invention;

" Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewbf thelaced football taken substantially on the line 2f-2 of Fig. 1 and on alarger scale;

fmice Figure 3 is a fragmentary top view of the football of Figs. l and2 with the lacing removed showing the lacingsupporting ribs of thepresent invention;

YFigure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the footballtaken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and on the same scale;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view takensubstantially ou the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and on the same scale;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Figure 7 is a top plan view on a reduced scale showing the football ofthe present invention; i

Figure 8 is an end view of the football of Fig. 7, on the same scale,with parts broken away and shown in transverse cross-section;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of an enlargedscale, taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Figure l0 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectionalview taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which like parts areidentified by the same numerals throughout the several views, Figs. l to6 shows a molded rubber football 1 of integral laminated constructionincluding an impervious inflatable elastic rubber inner-wall 2, anelastic rubber outer wall or cover 3, a carcass 4 of rubberized fabricsandwiched between and bonded to the inner and outer walls 2 and 3 inthe conventional manner, and a conventional inflating valve: 5 extendingthrough the three laminae to permit insertion of an inflating needleintothe air chamber ti within the bladder 2. The carcass 4 completelyencloses the bladder 2, and the cover 3 completely encloses the carcass,the laminated wall formed by these elements being generally in the formof an ellipsoid of revolution as with conventional footballs.

The laminated wall is provided with a longitudinally elongated,generally rectangular pocket 7 midway between the ends of the football.Such pocket may be formed between the cover s and the carcass 4 in anysuitable manner, for example as disclosed in U. S. Patent` No.2,693,224. A generally rectangular insert 8 in the form of a layer ofelastic rubber or rubberized fabric of a size to cover the pocket 7 ispreferably bonded to the cover 3 above said pocket to reinforce theportions 23 of the cover above the pocket. Additional layers may also beprovided above and below the pocket, if desired. 4

The shape of the outer surface of the cover 3 is determined by the shapeof the mold in which the rubber football is vulcanized. Such mold isprovided with ridges which produce longitudinal grooves 9 in the outersurface of the football l to simulate the grooves at the seams of aconventional leather-covered football and, if desired, may be shaped toproduce imitation stitching and imitation pebbling. i

According to the present invention, the mold cavity is provided withlateral and longitudinal recesses so tl at the cover portions 23 of thefootball 1 are molded with a single Wide straight longitudinal rib l0 ofrectangular transverse cross sectionextending more than. three-fourthsthe length of the pocket 7 and narrow lateral ribs il of the same sizeand shape extending from the opposite sides of the longitudinal ribstoward the sides of said pocket. Said ribs are located above the pocket7 to provide a support for thelacing.

A layer of paper, fabric or other suitable separating material is placedbetween the carcass 4 and the cover 3 so that the pocket 7 will beformed when the football is vulcanized. After vulcanization the portionof the cover s este th sassari@ nya, ihwhich tra fits io ma i1 areformed, is imperforate..and completely covers the Aseparating layer, thewide rib being located substantially midway between the opposite sidesof said layer. Saidrib and the underlying inse'rt'is then cut down themiddle with asuitable knif'eor the like to form a straight slit 12extending almost the fullk length of they wide rib 10, a `/-shapedgroove 13 preferably being provided inidway between the opposite sidesof said wide rib to facilitate the cutting. The slit 12 divides the widerib u10 into twi longitudinal rib portions 14 of the same size andpermits removal of the separating layer in the pocket 7 between theinsert 8 and the carcass 4. The slit also permits insertion of a punchor other suitable tool into the pocket 7 to cut holes in the coverportions 23 arid permits Vlacing of the football.

As herein shown, circulargholes 15 are punched at the opposite ends ofthe longitudinal rib 1d, vandtwostraight rows `of circular holes 16 and17 are punched on opposite sides of the rib 10 at the ends of thelateral ribs '11. The holes of each krow are equallyspaced and arelongitudinall`y aligned witheach other `and laterally aligned with theholes of the other row as best shown in Fig. 3 which is drawnsubstantially to scale. The Aholes 16 and 17 lare adapted to receive'aconventional leather 4lacing 18 of rectangular cross section, and theholes 15 are large enough to .receiveV two "longitudinalportions ofAsaid -lacing The football of the present invention may be laced in 'aconventional manner with a single piece of lacing 18 substantially asshown in Figs. ll and 2. When the football Yis laced in this manner,'the two straight longitudinal portions 19 of the lacing rest on Vtop ofthe rib portions 14 onoppositesides of theslit 12 and the severaltransverse portions 2) of the lacing rest on top -of the lateral ribs,11, which are preferably trianguloidal as best shown in Fig. 2. The ribportions 14 and the ribs 11 preferably have a width corespondingVsubstantially to the width ofthe lacing 18 so that they are completelycovered by the lacing. Each lateral rib 11 is integral with`theadjacent''longitudinal rib portion 14 and extends from .said ribportion to the'margin of a hole 1'6 or 17, said rib being laterallyaligned with a rib l10n the other side of Vthe 'slit 12. ,A symmetricalrib arrangement shown herein, `each of the holes 16 and "17 beinglocated i the same distance from the slit 1 2 andeach of the lateralribs 11 being of the same size. The height of eachrib 11 at the edgethereof'nearest the slit Vl2 is greater than the height of the ribportions 14 by an amount corresponding:substantially to the thickness ofthe lacing 18 so as to providefa rectangular'recess 21 above thelongitudinal rib 10 and between each pair of laterally aligned, ribs 11.Each of the longitudinally aligned recesses 21 preferably has a heightcorresponding substantially to the height of the lacing 18 and a widthequal to or slightly greater than twice the width of said lacing so thatthe longitudinal lacing portions 19 arel securely held in place by thetransverse lacing portions and the vertical faces of the ribs11 whichare longitudinally aligned. The Alateral ribs 11 are Vpreferably roundedsubstantially as shown'inFigZ so that they engageand support the lacingportions Z0 from the margins of the holes 16 and 17 to the marginaledges of the recesses 21. The rib portion 14 may have 'a height greaterthan the thickness of the lacing sothat the lacing extends a substantialy"distance outwardly to facilitate gripping of the football'duringpassing.

`*l`he'rubber`liner 2 vof the football 1 tends to assume a circularinternal ltransverse cross section in the neighborhood of the lacing'andto cause the football tobulg'e .t

' ressa, at einer sareste marsan nouns nouns the ifosfball to provide amultiplicity of closely and evenly spaced wraps or convolutions a,extending substantially the length of the football.

The molded rubber football 31 is of an integral laminated constructionand includes an impervious inflatable elastic rubber inner wall 32z anabrasion-resistant elastic rubber outer wall or cover 33,''nd a carcass34 of rubberimpregnated fabric sandwiched between and bonded o the innerand outer walls 32 and 33. A conventional inilating valve 35 extendsthrough ythe three laminae to pei'i't insertion of an inflating' needle'into .the closed air chamber 36 within the bladder 32. The carcass 34completely encloses'the bladder 32 and the cover A33 (completelyencloses said carcass. The laminated wall formed by these elements isgenerally in the vform of an ellipsoid of revolution as shown in Figs. 7and 8.

The laminated wall is provided with a longitudinal generally rectangularpocket 37 midway between ".the Aends of :the-football, which Lis for-medbetween thecover '33 and the carcass-34, like the .pocket 7 ofthersttdcscribed football 1. AA generally rectangular V.reinforcing layer38-ot rubberizedfabrc of a size toc'over the Ipocket 37 is bonded toythe cover 33 above-said 4pocket to rreinforce the portions 53 of thecover above 'thepoclret Additional layers of elastic rubber orrubberized fabric may be provided -aboveand below thefp'ocket.

As herein-shown-the lfootball S31 isfprovided with athin layer 38a`ofelastic-rubber coextensivewith the .-layer.38 and Vintegrally bondedthereto -r-adiall-y outwardly v=of the pocketv 37, and twog'en'e'rallyrectangular ulayers S2 vand 52a of thesame-sizepaslthelayers -38Aand-38a are'provided radially Linwardly `of the pocket 37. -The layer52 :is formed Cif-rubberizedtfabrc--and is YVbondedto the :fabriccarcass 34. VThelayer v52a Aiis `a `-thin Alayer of :rubber similar toVthe 'layer'a Iand bondedxto the-layer .52. =The adjacent surfaces of-the rubber --layers 38aand 52a..forrning ythe :pocket-37 do -notsticktogether V.after y'the paper or rcloth insertstherebetweenis removed.:Ifdesiredsuch surfaces may be treated fwith'asuitablepartingmaterial so-that t-hey'- cannot vstick together.Y

The mold in 'which the rubberfootball is cured maybe shaped Yso that rthe'cover of -the football fhastheappearance of-leat`her. The -mold inaybe .provided with` ridges which-'producellongitudinal grooves 39-inthe'outerfsurface of the-footballl to simulate* the seams `ofa-.conventionalv leather-covered football. The Lmold may also :beshaped-to produce imitation stitching andfp'ebbling. The

mold -cavity isrprovided 'with lateral `and ylongitudinalV recessessothat the-cover4 portions 53 are molded with-a singlestraight'lwidelongitudinal-rib l40 of rectangular 'cross section extending more vthanthree-fourths the length `ofthe: pockety '27 and narrow. lateral'ribs-41; of.the samesize and shape',extendingfromfrthe sides of theribsl0-toward -the marginal sides-offsaid pocket.

l'It willy be readily: apparent,=tothose skilled in ythesart,:from-theabovedescription -how the football of the:presentinventionv'r'nay be'rmde. A layer ofl paper," fabricgcr othersuitable separtinglmterial is, placed betweenA the carcass 34andthe-cover 33fand remains inthat position when fthegfootball is`vulcanized. A.The reinforcingrfeord 30 'isimbedded-inthe rubber of thecover 1ayer-33a-small fraction' of ani inch below the outersurface ofsaidcover layer and extends around the separating layer. Aftervulcanization-thefwide rfibf40,- whichfis located? `substantially midwaybetweeny the-opposite sides ofthe separating-layer, and the underlayinglayers 38 and 38a, `is then cut.down the middle with-asuitableknife,or-the-like,1tol form a straight As1it42exten`ding falmost the full-rlength of A"the rib-40. -V-shapedegroover43 isprovidedmidway betweenthe sides of the rib to facilitatelthel cutting.

'This cutting -severs'the reinforcing cord 3() so' thattthe'cut ends ofthis cord-areexposed` at-theslitf42as`. shownrin Figs-10..Tlisfslitf'divides the-wide rib-40uinto two-longitudinal-rib`portions-:Menthe 'samevsizetand -permitsaemoval of the separating layerwhereby the pocket 7 is formed between the rubber layers 38a and 52a.The slit also permits insertion of a punch into the pocket 37 to cutcircular holes in the cover portions 53, and permits lacing of thefootball.

l The holes 45 are punched at the opposite ends of the longitudinal rib40 and have a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the width ofthe lacing. The holes 46 and 47 are arranged in straight parallel rowson opposite sides of the rib 40 at the ends of the lateral ribs 41. Theholes of each row are preferably equally spaced and arepreferablylongitudinally aligned with each other and laterally aligned with theholes of the other row, for example, as shown in Fig. 7. The holes 45,46 and 47 are adapted to receive a conventional leather lace 48 ofrectangular cross-section having a width not substantially greater thanthe diameter of the holes. The football 31 may be laced with a singlepiece of lacing 48 just like the football 1 of Figs. l to 6, whereby thetwo straight longitudinal portions 49 of the lacing rest on top of therib portions 44, and the several transverse lacing portions 50 rest onthe top surfaces of the lateral ribs 41 which have a trianguloidal shapeas shown in Fig. 9.

The rib portions 44 and the ribs 41 may have a width correspondingsubstantially to the width of the lacing 48 so that they are completelycovered by the lacing and are not noticeable as viewed in Fig. 7. Eachlateral rib 41 is integral with the adjacent rib portion 44 and extendsfrom said rib portion to the margin of a hole 46 or 47. Each lateral rib41 is laterallyraligned with a rib 41 on the opposite side of the slit12, the ribs preferably being arranged in a symmetrical manner.

The height of each rib 41 at the side of the wide rib 40 is greater thanthe height of the rib portions 44 by an amount correspondingsubstantially to the thickness of the lacing 48 so as to provide arecess 21a of rectangular p cross section between each `pair oflaterally aligned ribs 41 for receiving the longitudinal portions 49 ofthe lacing.

applied to the bladder as by dipping, spraying, or other suitablemethod. Subsequently, a reinforcing layer may be applied to the coatedbladder in the form of pieces of cross-woven fabric.

When making the football 1, the fabric reinforcing layer 4 is applied tothe inated bladder 2 to cover the bladder completely. The fabric hasthreads spaced far enough apart to permit slight changes in shape sothat the fabric conforms to the shape of the bladder. If desired,additional reinforcing cords, `similar to the cords of the football 31,may be wrapped around the reinforcing layer 4. Thereafter, theseparating layer 8 is applied against the layer 4. Another coating ofrubber cement, or other vulcanizable rubber material, is then applied tothe reinforcing layer 4 and the layer 8, and the cover layer 3 ofabrasion-resistant elastic rubber is applied over the layers 4 and 8 toenclose completely the fabric portions of the football. The football isthen placed in a suitable mold and is further inated to press the coverlayer 3 into intimate contact with the wall of the mold cavity, and topress the laminae 2, 3, 4 and 3 into intimate contact with each other,the mold being heated to vulcanize the rubber portions of the ball andtoform an integral construction.

The football 31 is formed in a similar manner, the carcass 34 beingapplied tothe inflated bladder 32 after the bladder is covered withsuitable rubber cement. The carcass 34 is then coated with `rubber'cement and the patch layers 38, 38a, 52 and 52a, together with thepaper sepa- 1 rating layer, are applied to the layer 44. The twistedEach of the recesses 21a preferably has a height correspondingsubstantially to thatof the lacing 48 and a width correspondingsubstantially to twice the width of the lacing so that the longitudinallacing portions 48 engage and are held securely in place by thetransverse lacing portions 50 and the vertical faces of the ribs 41.

The lateral ribs 41 are generally triangular and preferably are alignedsubstantially as shown in Figure 9 so that they engage and support thelacing portions 50 from the margins of the holes 46 and 47 to themarginal edges of the recess 21a. As herein shown the rib portions 44 ofthe football 31 have a height not substantially greater than. about .04"and not substantially greater than the thickness ofthe lacing 48. Such aheight is preferred by most football players since it locates the lacingfor proper gripping of the football.

Except for the height of the ribs of the football 3l, the ribs and thelacing of said football are substantially the same as the ribs andlacing of the first described football 1. The reinforcing cord 30 causesthe cover layer 33 to assume a substantially circular transverse crosssection as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 so that the inner layer of bladder32 bulges inwardly away from the lacing against the pressure of thegases within the football. The lacing 4S holds the cut ends of the cord30 together so that the cords prevent bulging of the portion 53 of thecover. The football 31, therefore, has a shape more nearly correspondingto a conventional leather-covered football than the first describedfootball 1. Bulging of the football at the lacing is not prevented ifreinforcing cord, siniilar to the cord 30, is provided radially inwardlyof the lacing receiving pocket 7.

As is well known in the art, in making a football of the type describedherein, the first step is to form a bladder and to partially inliate itto a size somewhat less than the desired size of the finished ball. Acoating of a vulcanizable material, such as latex or rubber cement, thenmay be nylon cord 30 is then wrapped around the inflated footballstarting at one end of the football and advancing at a substantiallyuniform rate so that the convolutio-ns are fairly evenly spacedthroughout the length ofthe football. These convolutions extend aroundthe patch layers and engage the outer fabric patch layer 38. After thecord has been tightly wound around the football and cut at the end ofthe football, the football is coated with rubaV ber cement and the coverlayer 33 is applied to cover the football completely. The football maythen be molded in the usual manner. p

The cord 30 may be applied very rapidly prior to applif cation of thecover layer by mounting the inflated unvulcanized football on a mandrelor other machine having means to grip the ends of the football and.motor means to rotate the football about its axis. The cord is attachedto the football at one end and held under tension during rotation of thefootball so that it is wrapped around the football, the cord being heldat a slight inclination to obtain closely spaced convolutions whichextend the length of `the football 'as shown in Fig. 7. The end of thecord is cut after the cord reaches the opposite end of the football. Thetime required to apply the cord 30 is, therefore, very small and doesnot add appreciably to the cost of making the football.

It is to be understood that, in accordance with the provisions of thepatent statutes, variations and modifications of the specific articledisclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A molded rubber football comprising an impervious inflatable rubberbladder having an inflation valve, a rubberized fabric carcass enclosingsaid bladder and bonded thereto, an outer cover coextensive with saidcarcass and enclosing the same, said cover being disconnected from thecarcass within a small area to form a pocket between the `cover and thecarcass, said cover having flap portions overlying said pocket with twoparallel rows of equally spaced lacing holes therethrough of a size toreceive the lacing and a slit located midway between and parallel tosaid rows of holes,.the holes of one row being laterally aligned withthose of the other row, said flap portions having lacing-supporting ribsof substantially uniform height extending longitudinally substantiallythe length of said rows at the margins of said slit and parallel to saidslit and having transverse trianguloidal lacing-supporting ribs onopposite sides of said longitudinal ribs aligned with said'lac'in'gholes, each transverserib extending between a lacing hole and aLongitudinal ,rib and having ari outer surface spaced radially outwardlyfrom the outer surface of said longitudinal rib adistance correspondingsubstan- `trially to the thickness of the'lacing. v

'2. A vulcanized molded rubber football comprising an inflatable innerrubber bladder, an enclosing carcass including a layer of rubberizedfabric bonded to the outside of said bladder, an outer coversubstantially `conextensivre with said carcass and enclosing the same,said cover being bonded to said carcass except for an area which issmall as compared to the totalsurface area of the carcass so as to forma pocket between the cover and the carcass, the portion of said coverover said pocket being provided with two'parallel rows of substantiallyequally spaced lacing holes Vtherethrough and being provided with a slittherethrough which is located between `andparallel tosaid rows of 'holesand of a length not substantially less than `the length `of s aid rowsof holes, vthe holes of one row being `laterally aligned with the holesof the other row, -said holes Aand 4said slit throughout its length allcommunicating with said pocket, saidV cover denin'gthe outer wall ofsaid pocket, a lremovable lacing threaded through said holes andrspanning said slit, said lacing having parallel longitudinal portionsadjacent said slitbetween'said rows of lholes and parallel transverseportions extending over said'lon-gitudinal portions to lhold them Vinplace between the lacing holes, and a pair of ltrianguloidal lateralribs aligned with each pair of holes on opposite vsides of saidslit,'said ribsfprojecting radially outwardly from said cover and havingouter surfaces substantially` ush with fthe outer surfaces of saidlongitudinallacing portions, said transverse portions engaging-saidribssubstantially from the margins of -said holes-tothe outer sideedgesof said longitudinal portions.

3. A vulcanized molded rubber footballcomprising an inflatable innerrubber bladder, an enclosing carcass including a layer of rubberizedfabric bondedto the outside of `lsaid bladder, anoutercover'substantially `coextensive with said carcass and enclosingthe same, said'cover being bonded to said carcass except'for an areawhich is small as compared to the total surface area of the carcass soas to form a pocket between the Acover land rthe carcass, the portion ofsaid cover over said pocket being provided with two parallel-rows ofsubstantiallyequallyspaced lacing holes therethrough and being Aprovidedvwith a slit therethrough which isY located between and parallel to saidrows'of holes'and of a length not substantiallyA less than the'length ofsaid rows of holes, the holes of onerrow being laterally aligned withthe holes of the other rows, said holes and said slit throughout itslength all communicating with said vpocket,rsaid cover dening the outerwall o f said pocket, a removable'llacing threaded through said holesand spanning said slit, said lacing `having:parallel longitudinalportionsadjacent said slit betweensaid rows of holes and paralleltr'aiisverse portions extending over said longitudinal portions, a pair"of longitudinal ribs of the same height below said longitudinal lacingportions on opposite sides of saidslitfor supporting said longitudinallacing portions, and a series of lateral ribs 'projecting outwardly fromsaid longitudinal ribs-towardthe adjacent lacing holes, said flateralribs having aheght at i the sides of the longitudinal ribs substantiallygreater than that of the longitudinal ribs to provide recesses of a sizeto receive the two longitudinal lacing portions `and engaging thetransverse lacing portions' to provide support therefor. Y 4, A moldedrubber football comprising an impervious inatable rubber bladder hayirlgan inflation valve, axgubberized fabric carcass enclosing saidbladderand bonded thereto, an outer'cover coextensive withY said carcassand enclosing the same, said 'cover being disconnected `fior the carcasswithin a small yarea to form a `pocket between the cover and thecarcass, said cover having Yflap portions overlying said pocket with.two ,parallel rows of equally spaced lacing holes therethrough of asiz'e toreceivethe lacing and a'wide longitudinallacing-supportinglribthv ing a width greater than its heightlocatedmidway'abetween and parallel to'saidrow of holes and extendingsubstantially the length of said rows, theholes of one row beinglaterally aligned ,withl those of the .otherro'w, saidtlapportionsshaving,lacing holes at the opposite ends'bf saidlongitudinalrib of a size to receive `thelacingand narrow `transverselacing-supporting Cribs on opposite .sides of said wide rib integralwith'saidrib and alignedwith' said'lacin'g holes, each transvcrse'ribextendingfbetwen said wide rib and alacing hole of one of said rows ,andhaving an outerlacing-engaging surface extending radially outwardlybeyond the outer lacing-engaging surface of said wide rib to provide alacing-engaging shoulderfatfthe side of said Wide rib.

5. A football as delined-inclaim ,1 whereina reinforcing cord isembedded in the rubber portion of .said football to prevent bulging `ofthe-football at thelacing, said cord being wrapped around the football.toiprovidea multiplicityof closely spacedconvolutions'extendingsubstantially the length of therfootball andlocated at the innersurface of saidcover and radially outwardlyofs'idpocket, said cord being cut at said slit.

kReferences Cited in the file ofl this patent i UNITED STAEFS'PATENTSy.2,302,985 voit et ai Nov.'l 2,4, 1942 12,687,303 Henderson ''Aug.24,',19514 Vzjagzi

